Quelques Fleurs Royale

Call me an old lady with lilac hair if you want—I might as well refer to myself as one if that's how enthusiastic I sound! Houbigant creates fragrances that are nothing short of gorgeous. This scent is warm, inviting, and incredibly complex. It’s hard to put into words, but it has a honeyed warmth, a crisp grapefruit note, and hints of Amarige by Givenchy in the opening, along with subtle traces of Coco Mademoiselle and Tresor by Lancome in the heart. Despite these influences, it still manages to stand on its own. The dry-down is smooth and evokes Quelques Fleurs Royal, leaving a lasting impression that lingers for hours. The quality of this perfume is top-notch—I can see my skin glistening even 30 minutes after applying it, which I attribute to the inclusion of honey or beeswax in the formulation. While Houbigant’s lack of brand recognition among niche consumers might be partly due to their packaging, which varies greatly from one scent to another, I think they’d benefit from a more cohesive approach. They could adopt either the retro 1900s style, like seen in Iris de Champs, or move toward simpler, more contemporary packaging, as is popular with niche perfumers such as Frederic Malle and Serge Lutens. Houbigant, please keep making these incredible perfumes! Your craftsmanship deserves better packaging to match the quality of your scents. Let’s not let Guerlain’s struggles with younger audiences be a reflection on you—keep shining!

" Lovely indeed. Not overly sugary or overpowering, this scent is more like honeycomb as another reviewer noted. The opening is sparkling with grapefruit, transitioning to sweeter floral notes and beeswax. Additionally, it pairs beautifully with Jovan Intense Oud!"

I got this in the mail today, so excited after waiting three weeks! I tore open the wrapper and tried it on before even putting water in for coffee. The scent was absolutely beautiful—honey-like, smooth as lotion, with a powdery feel. It reminded me of a florist shop and a café, bringing Audrey Hepburn and those 60s icons to mind. There were hints of almond, black currant, and blackberry, though I don’t see those notes listed. I wouldn’t wear this on a blind date—not sure if I’d risk it with someone new! But for someone I already like? Definitely yes. It’s way too beautiful for everyday wear, but it’s quickly become one of my favorites. It’s a shame it doesn’t last as long as I’d hoped. Fingers crossed, in warmer weather and with my drier skin, it might hold up better. After giving it another shot, I have to admit, I’ve changed my mind—this feels weak and overly sweet for my taste. It’s still lovely but not something I’d save for special occasions. I might just use it as a gentle option for myself or share it with someone else. While it’s beautiful, I wish it had more punch in my own scent.

If you want to call me an old lady with lilac hair, be my guest! This fragrance is absolutely stunning! Houbigant creates sophisticated and elegant scents without fail—no doubt about that. Describing this scent is tricky for me, so I apologize if it doesn’t do justice. To me, it feels warm, like honey, with a refreshing grapefruit note. It also reminds me of Amarige by Givenchy in the opening, along with subtle hints of Coco Mademoiselle and Tresor by Lancome. Yet, it still has its unique identity. The dry-down is reminiscent of Quelques Fleurs Royal and lasts a very long time on my clothes—really impressive longevity! The fragrance feels high-quality, and I can see why my skin glistens even 30 minutes after application. I’m guessing the presence of honey or beeswax contributes to this effect. One thing that’s frustrating is how Houbigant’s branding might be holding them back. Their packaging is all over the place—different bottles for every scent make it hard to build a cohesive identity. If they want to compete with niche perfumers like Frederic Malle or Serge Lutens, they should consider either sticking to their retro 1900s-style bottles (like Iris de Champs) or going for simpler, more modern packaging. Houbigant, are you listening? This is a brand with so much potential! Only Guerlain seems to be getting away with inconsistent packaging, but even they’re struggling to connect with younger audiences. I’d hate to see Houbigant lose their footing in the perfume world.

This perfume is very similar to the Roja pink bottle. I enjoy the floral notes but don’t detect any honey. It has a powdery and citrusy vibe, making it a bit sweet overall.